Chapatis (India)

Named Unleavened Whole Wheat Bread in english. Served warm and fresh, chapatis complement a spicy curry and a cool yogurt dip.They are also delicious with rice and bean dishes.

Ingredients:

• 2 1/2 c. whole wheat flour
• 2 tbsp. butter or margarine
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1 c. lukewarm water

How To:

• Put 2 c. flour into a large mixing bowl.
• Cut butter into small pieces. Make a hollow in the center of the flour and add butter. Rub butter into flour with your fingertips until mixture looks like large bread crumbs.
• Mix salt into water. Add enough water, a little at a time, to flour mixture to make a firm (but not stiff) dough.
• Knead dough in bowl for about 5 or 10 minutes. Cover bowl with a damp cloth and let stand at room temperature for at least 1 hour.
• Divide dough into pieces about the size of walnuts. Roll each piece into a smooth ball with your hands.
• Sprinkle remaining 1/2 c. flour onto a flat surface. With a rolling pin, roll out each ball until it resembles a thin pancake, about 1/8-inch thick.
• Heat an ungreased heavy skillet or griddle over medium-high heat. When the skillet is hot, place one chapati in the center. When small brown spots appear on the bottom, and the edges begin to curl up (in about 1 minute), turn the chapati over with a spatula. Cook chapati for about 2 minutes, or until small brown spots appear on bottom. *see tips below
• Continue cooking chapatis, one at a time. Wrap the cooked ones in a towel to keep them warm.
• Brush cooked chapatis with butter and serve warm.

Preparation time: 1 hour 35 minutes
Cooking time: 30 minutes
Makes 12 to 15 chapatis

* tips:

• To make a deep-fried Indian bread called puri, heat 1 tbsp. of oil in the skillet over medium-high heat for 1 minute.
• Place a dough circle in the oil.
• Using a spatula, carefully splash hot oil from the pan onto the puri while frying.
• This technique will cook the top side and puff up the dough. (It may be necessary to add a little oil to the pan for each new puri.)
• Fry for about 2 minutes, or until golden brown on both sides.
• Remove from skillet, drain on paper towels, and serve immediately.